Pope Francis gestures as he participates alongside thousands of young soccer athletes in a project to promote the values of sport and soccer at the Vatican May 24. CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters

VATICAN CITY – For young men and women, competitive sports like soccer not only help strengthen their bodies, but also help strengthen their souls in creating last bonds of friendship through teamwork, Pope Francis said.More ...Friday, May 24, 2019

VATICAN CITY – The Holy Spirit gives Christians the courage and the strength needed to engage in a loving dialogue with God that is like the dialogue of a child with his or her father, Pope Francis said.More ...Wednesday, May 22, 2019

VATICAN CITY – When doctors, nurses and health care workers conscientiously object to a procedure to protect the life and dignity of their patients, they must do so respectfully, Pope Francis said.More ...Friday, May 17, 2019

VATICAN CITY – Christians recognize life's great paradox that so much evil and temptation exist in the world, but that God is always present, too, ready to help and give people the strength to persevere, Pope Francis said.More ...Wednesday, May 15, 2019

VATICAN CITY – Visiting the small Catholic communities in Bulgaria and North Macedonia offered an opportunity to encourage the faithful to remember God's miracle of being able to feed a multitude with just a few loaves and fishes, Pope Francis said.More ...Wednesday, May 8, 2019

VATICAN CITY – People who feel restless or lacking inner peace will discover it when they visit those who are experiencing great difficulty, suffering, illness or persecution, Pope Francis said.More ...Monday, April 29, 2019

VATICAN CITY – Reading the Bible and praying with it is "the best vaccine" against Catholic communities closing in on themselves or focusing only on self-preservation, Pope Francis said.More ...Friday, April 26, 2019

VATICAN CITY – On Easter Monday, Pope Francis led thousands of people in St. Peter's Square in praying for the hundreds of people who died or were injured in bomb blasts the previous day in Sri Lanka.More ...Monday, April 22, 2019

ROME – As the machine of warfare continues to churn out more dangerous weaponry, only the power and joy of Christ's resurrection can fill hearts with comfort and peace, Pope Francis said before giving his Easter blessing.More ...Sunday, April 21, 2019

VATICAN CITY – As individuals and as a church, it can be tempting to dwell on mistakes, failures and sins that block the fullness of life, but Easter is the proclamation that the Lord is victorious and his love will triumph, Pope Francis said.More ...Saturday, April 20, 2019